Force transmission apparatus



Apnl 22, 1958 H. G. ZIMMERMAN 2,831,355

FORCE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS Filed Deo. 21. 1953 n INSULATION FIGA H: y 13 y 31h Il' 50h www! 1v 52 53k j 21 Y INVENTOR.

..;-/8 HALE G. ZIMMERMAN mwlln'\ 24?f ,l m19 BY 26 25 @s 20 ATTORNEY United States Patent FORCE TRANSMISSON APPARATUS Hale G. Zimmerman, Sau Jose, Calif., assigner to international Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation or' New York Application December 21, 1953, Serial No. 399,385

12 Claims. (Cl. 74-123) This invention relates generally to apparatus for mechanically transmitting force, and more particularly to force transmission means in which a ilexible element is stitfened to enable transmission of the force through the flexible element.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a the following description and claims and illustrated in I the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side view partly in section of one embodiment of the invention showing the parts in an inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l showing the parts in an operative position.

Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section of another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view partly in section of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises an elongated tlexible transmitting means il), preferably in the form of a resilient magnetizable column or wire, intended for transmitting force from one end to the other, and of such character as to require the use of a means intermediate its ends to prevent buckling during operation.

Wire is secured at one end to an operating arm 11 at 12. The arm 11 is pivotally mounted at 13 and is provided with a roller 14 which is held against a constantly rotating cam 15 under pressure of a spring 16. Cam 14 is fastened to a shaft 17 which is connected to any suitable driving mechanism to continually rotate the shaft.

The other end of wire 1li is secured to a punch element 18 which is slidably mounted in a stripper plate 19. A die block 20 is positioned below the stripper plate at a suitable distance to permit cards or sheets to be inserted therebetween. This may be done by conventional card or sheet feeding means or by hand if so desired. A friction damping device generally designated 21 is mounted above stripper plate 19 and is adapted to receive the punch element 18. The damping device 21 comprises a housing block member 22 which is formed with a vertical opening 23 through which the punch element 18 is free to move and a longitudinally disposed hollowed-out portion 24 which merges with the vertical opening 23. A plunger 25 is positioned for movement v4ice within the portion 23 and is urged into engagement with punch element 18 under pressure of a spring 26 which extends between plunger 25 and a stop member 27 sev cured to the end of an adjusting screw 28. This screw extends into the hollowed-out portion 24 and is utilized to regulate the pressure of plunger 25 against the punch element 18.

A guide plate 29 of non-magnetic material is positioned between the operating arm 11 and the punch element 18 so that wire 11 lays flat against 'the guide plate when in the normal inoperative position, as shown by the full line in Fig. 1. Centrally located in the guide plate 29 is an opening 30 in which is mounted a U-shaped core 31 of a magnet 32. A coil 5S is wound around the body' portion of the core 31. The ends of lthe core 31 are positioned ush with the face of guide plate 29. When magnet 32 is energized, the core 31 is magnetized and attracts the wire 10. l

In the punching embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. l, the wire 10 is shown in a full line in the normal inoperative position where roller 14 is riding in a low portion of cam 15 and operating arm 11 is pivoted upwardly. To place the apparatus in operating order, the adjusting screw 2 8 is turned into the hollowedout portion 24 of the friction damping device 21 until the proper pressure is applied on the punch element 18 by plunger 25. Magnet 32 is then energized, and its core 31 becomes magnetized to develop a magnetomotive force suicient to hold the wire 10 hat against the guide plate 29. This magnet 32 is energized through any suitable circuit; for example, in Fig. 1 depression' of the key SK closes its contacts 33 to complete a circuit to magnet 32 from battery 34. When the rollerv14 reaches a high portion of cam 15, the wire 10 -is moved downwardly by operating arm 11. The magnetomotive force of the magnet 32 is sufficient to maintain the wire 10 against the guide plate 29 and overcome the friction developed by the friction damping device 21. Any buckling of the wire l@ is thereby prevented, and the punch element 18 is pushed downwardly through the die block 20 to accomplish the punching operation as shown in Fig. 2. When roller 14 leaves the high portion of cam 15, the punch element 18 and wire 10'are restored from the fully down position to the fully up position. The apparatus is then ready to begin the next cycle of operation.` If the magnet 32 is not energized, the downward movement of operating arm 11 does not cause the wire 10 to move downwardly with it, but rather buckles the wire out and away from the guide plate 29 to the position shown 'by the dotted line in Fig. l. The stiffness or rigidity of the wire is not sumcient to overcome the force of fricfl tion developed by the friction damping device 21 since there is no magnetomotive force to hold the wire flat against the guide plate 29.

In Fig. 3, a modification of the invention is shown involving the application of the force transmitting principle to the actuation of a stepping devicesuch as a counter.

A wire 10a is connected to an operating arm (not shown) which functions in the same manner as operating arm 14 in the punching embodiment described above: The lower end of wire 10a is secured to a link 35 which is slidably mounted in a friction damping device generally designated 21a similar to the one previously described for the embodiment of Figs. l and 2. This device 21a comprises ablock member 22a which is formed with a vertical opening 23a through which link 35 is free to move and a longitudinally disposed hollowed-out portion 24a which merges with the vertical opening 23a. A plunger '25a is positioned for movement within the portion 23a and is urged into engagement with link 3S under pressure of a spring 26a which extends between plunger 25a and a stop member 27a secured to the end of au adjusting screw 28a. This screw extends into the hollowedout portion 24a and is utilized to regulate the pressure of plunger a against the link 35.

A pawl 36 is pivotally connected to the lower end of links. and 37 and cooperates with a ycounting device, generally designated 3S, to effect a readout of desired information. The counting device 3S comprises a ratchet wheel 39 secured to a shaft 40 which is suitably mounted for rotation. A disc 41 is fastened to shaft 49 and carries a wire 42 having wiping brushes 43 positioned 180 apart. This counting mechanism is associated with a settable digit representing element or readout means comprising an insulating ring 44, ten contact pins 4S spaced at 18 intervals, and a common segment 46. A contact pin is engaged by one brush 43, While the oppositely disposed brush 43 engages the common seg ment 46 to complete a circuit through the contact wire 42. between a contact pin 45 and the common segment. A S1: .1'ing4'7.` continually urges the pawl 36 toward engagement with the ratchet wheel 39. provided in the path of pawl 36 to limit the clockwise movement. of. the, pawl under influence of spring 47.

A guide plate 29a and magnet 32a are provided as for the previous embodiment. The core 31a of magnet 32a is mounted in a centrally located opening 30a in guide. plate, 29a. When magnet 32a is energized, the core 31a is magnetized and attracts the wire 10a.

In the counter embodiment of Fig. 3, the wire lila is shown in a full line in the normal inoperative position.

Energization of magnet 32a causes core 31a to become magnetized and develop a magnetomotive force suiiicient to hold the wire 10a at against the guide plate 29a. The. magnet is energized through any suitable circuit, as explained hereinbefore. A downward movement by the operating arm pushes wire 10a downwardly because the magnetomotive force of magnet 32a is suicient to maintain wire 10a against the guide plate 29a and overcome the friction developed by the friction damping device 21a. The link 35 is pushed downwardly, and pawl 36 moves with the linkr to push a tooth of the ratchet wheel 39 before it, thus rotating the wheel one step in a clockwise direction. When the operating arm again moves upwardly, the link 35 and wire 10a are restored, and the pawl 36 snaps over the next higher tooth on ratchet wheel 39. If the magnet 32a is not energized, the downward movement of the operating arm causes the Wire 10a to. buckle out and away from the guide plate 29a to the position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 3.

In. Fig,v 4, a modification of the invention is shown involving; the application of the force transmitting prini' Cple to the actuation of a printing device.

A wire. lllbr is connected to an operating arm (not shown) which functions in the same manner as the operating, arm 14 in Fig. l. The lower end of wire 10b is secured to` a type carrier which is slidably mounted in ar friction damping device generally designated 2lb similar to the ones previously described. This device 2lb includes. a block member 22b having a vertical opening 23h through which type carrier 50 is free to move and a longitudinally disposed hollowed-out portion 24h. A plunger 25b is positioned for movement within the portion. 2311 and is urged into engagement with type carrier '50. under pressure of a spring 26h which extends between plunger 25by and a stopv member 27b secured to the end of. an adjusting screw 281i). This screw is utilized to regulate the pressure of plunger ZSb against the type carrier 50.

A. print. platen; 51 is fixed below the friction damping device-:2lb at asuitable distance to permit cards or sheets tobeinserted therebetween. A type element 52 is mounted to. the lower end of the type carrier 5G and cooperates with a, ribbon 53 to print the desired impression. A card 54 is shown in place in Fig. 4 to receive a printing impression.

A guide plate 291: and magnet 3211 are provided as A stop pin 48 is lll for the previous embodiment. The core 31b of magnet 32h is mounted in a centrally located opening 30h in guide plate 29b. When magnet 32b is energized, the core 31b is magnetized and attracts the wire 10b.

In the printing embodiment of Fig. 4, the wire 10b is shown in a full line in the normal inoperative position. Energization of magnet 32h causes the wire 10b to be held at against the guide plate 2.9b as before. When the type carrier 50 is pushed 4downwardly by the wire ltb through the downward movement of the operating arm, the type element 52 is moved against the ribbon and the card 54 which is supported by the platen 51. A printing impression is left on the card 54 through the impact. When the operating arm again moves upwardly, the type carrier 50 and wire 10b are restored. If the magnet 32h is not energized, the downward movement of the operating arm causes wire 10b to buckle out and away from the guide plate 2911 to the position shown by the dotted line in Fig. 4.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A mechanism for transmitting force comprising in combination a flexible element, a rst member mounted in forced transmitting relationship with one end of said element and operable to provide a predetermined force thereto, a second member mounted. in motion receiving relationship with the opposite end of said element, means including electromagnetic means selectively operable to render said flexible element rigid to cause said second member to be moved by said element in accordance with the said predetermined force, and damping means, associated with said second member for resisting movement of said second member until said electromagnetic means is operated.

2. The combination recited in claim i wherein said second member comprises a punch member.

3. A mechanism comprising force transmitting` means including a flexible element,V a dampingI device cooperating with said transmitting means to resist4 transmission of force thereby, means for stiftening said flexible element, and means for making said transmittingA means. ellective to transmit force against the action of said damping: device after said element has been stiffened.

4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the damping device frictionally engagesv the transmitting means.

5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 3, in which the stiffening means includes a magnet for holding the ilexible element rigid.

6. The mechanism as claimed in claim 3, in which the damping device includes a housing block having an opening into which the transmitting means extends andy a plunger member for holding said transmitting means. in frictional engagement with the side of said opening.

7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, in which re.- silient means is provided between the plunger member and the housing block to yieldably hold the transmitting means against the sidev of the opening.

8. The mechanism as claimed in claim. 7, in which an adjustable screw is interposed between the resilient means and the housing block to regulate the pressure of the plunger member against the transmitting means.

9. A force transmitting mechanism comprising a force transmitting means including a flexible element, a damping device cooperating with the transmitting means, to resist transmission of force thereby, a guide plate against which said element rests when in an unexed position a magnet for holding said element rigid, and means for making said transmitting means eective to transmit force against the action of said damping device after said element has been made rigid.

10. The combination recited in claim 1 further cornprising a stepping device including a pawl, a ratchet, and means connecting said second member to said pawl to cause said ratchet to be moved in accordance with selective operation of said mechanism.

11. The combination recited in claim 10 further comprising a settable digit representing element operatively associated with said ratchet and movable thereby in accordance with said selected operation.

12. The combination recited in claim 1 further comprising a printing device having a type carrier and means connecting said type carrier to said second member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Taylor Feb. 19, 1901l Roberts Nov. 8, 1910 Hommel Aug. 31, 1937 Bruse Mar. 7, 1939 De Jarlais et al June 26, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Norway Feb. 11, 1946 Germany Feb. 7, 1928 

